Is North Central safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Central as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on North Central
“Go with care during daylight hours, especially if visiting Temple University's main campus, but exercise heightened vigilance off the main thoroughfares. Stick to well-lit, patrolled corridors such as Broad Street and avoid walking alone off-campus at night. Visitors should remain alert to elevated rates of both property crime and violent street crime on peripheral blocks.”
About the area
North Central Philadelphia is a dense, high-energy urban district centered around Temple University's sprawling campus and surrounded by historic rowhouse neighborhoods. The area offers a mix of collegiate vitality, cultural events, and diverse eateries alongside blocks facing significant economic hardship.
- Collegiate Hub
- Dense Urban Grid
- Transit-Rich
- High-Contrast
Walking and biking in North Central
Walk score: 88/100 · Bike score: 78/100
Philadelphia's Indego bike-share program features numerous docking stations across the neighborhood, connecting directly into North Broad Street's designated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Heavy campus safety patrols and emergency call stations throughout the university core
- Exceptional transit connectivity via multiple SEPTA subway and Regional Rail stops
- Vibrant daytime student corridors offering affordable dining, food trucks, and cultural venues
Cons
- Violent crime and robbery rates remain notably higher than city and national averages
- Local poverty rate exceeds 35% with pockets of housing vacancy and blight on side streets
- High incidence of vehicle break-ins, package theft, and street robbery after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and panhandling are common around the Broad Street Line subway entrances and transit hubs, with occasional small encampments under nearby regional rail underpasses.
What North Central is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are active with students, hospital staff, and commuters moving toward transit with generally routine safety conditions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- High pedestrian volume along Broad Street and campus pathways creates an active, monitored environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Foot traffic thins out rapidly off the main university spine, requiring heightened situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety risks increase sharply after midnight; walking alone off well-patrolled arterial streets is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA provides extensive connectivity through the Broad Street Line subway stations at Cecil B. Moore and Susquehanna-Dauphin, alongside the high-frequency Temple University Regional Rail station and bus routes 4 and 16.
Street parking is tightly contested and subject to strict student or residential permit rules; secure public paid parking is available in Temple garages like the Montgomery Garage for roughly $15 to $22 per day.
Things to do in North Central
- Attend a concert or Division I college basketball game at The Liacouras Center
- Tour the Charles Library and landscaped green spaces of Temple University's campus
- Attend a theatrical performance or musical showcase at the Temple Performing Arts Center
Local favorites
- Champ's Diner · Diner · 4.2★ (860)Beloved student and local staple serving hearty classic breakfasts and comfort fare.
- The Liacouras Center · Arena / Entertainment Venue · 4.4★ (2150)Prominent 10,000-seat multi-purpose venue hosting concerts, family shows, and collegiate sports.
- Diamond Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.1★ (430)Casual counter-service stop popular for late-night pies, cheesesteaks, and hoagies.
Neighborhoods near North Central
Common questions about North Central
Is North Central safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is North Central a good place to live?
On safety, North Central scores 46/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is North Central?
Walk score 88/100 and bike score 78/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near North Central are safer?
Fairmount (Philadelphia) (82), Francisville (Philadelphia) (65), Yorktown (Philadelphia) (61) score higher nearby.
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